Trump Economics Flops as Dollar Has Its Worst Year in Decades

The US dollar is on track for its worst year in decades, as shown by the change in the US Dollar index for each year up until September 18.

The flop has been brought by policy missteps, economic uncertainty, and a global shift in investor confidence.

As of mid-2025, the US Dollar Index (DXY) has dropped about 10 to 11 percent against a basket of major currencies.

That’s the worst first-half performance in over 50 years, with it being the biggest decline since 1973.

The dollar is headed toward its worst year since roughly 2003, if the current pace holds.

What’s Dragging the Dollar Down

President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies, including sweeping and reciprocal tariffs, have unsettled markets.

Unpredictability around trade policy raises perceived risk for holding US assets.

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The dollar has long benefited from higher interest rates in the US compared to many peer economies. But those differentials are narrowing.

Other central banks are moving, expectations of Fed rate cuts are growing, and yield parity is eroding. That makes the dollar less attractive.

Economic growth in the US has disappointed relative to expectations. With a rising federal deficit, concerns about debt sustainability, and increasing unemployment, these factors all contribute to lower confidence in the dollar.

This makes investors globally hedge their exposure to the dollar or shifting into other currencies and assets

The Role of the Trump Administration

Policy choices under Trump have played a big role.

• Tariffs: While intended to protect certain industries, they have also increased costs, disrupted supply chains, and added uncertainty.
• Fiscal policy: Big tax cuts, large spending, and ballooning deficits, especially in a weak growth environment, lower international confidence.
• Pressure on the Fed: Calls for rate cuts (or at least less aggressive tightening) from the White House erode the traditional perception of central bank independence. When markets believe monetary policy might be politicized, risk premia rise.

Why It Matters

Imports cost more: Weak dollar means imported goods get pricier, fueling inflation (or at least slowing disinflation).

Also Read: Africa and the US Face Uncertain Trade Future as Key Act Nears Expiry

Foreign investment risk: As the dollar slides, returns for foreign investors in US-denominated assets look less attractive, especially when accounting for currency loss.

Reserve currency status: While the US dollar remains dominant, persistent weakness and policy instability could lead global actors to reassess reliance on it.

Global spillovers: Countries that peg to the dollar, or have dollar-denominated debt, suffer. A falling dollar changes trade balances, capital flows, and can change the leverage in global trade diplomacy.

More aggressive tariff wars or trade retaliation could escalate uncertainty.

If the Fed lowers rates too quickly, or if inflation reaccelerates, expectations could get messy.

Rising US debt servicing costs (if rates stay up or rise elsewhere) could cut into fiscal flexibility.

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